—– As Pres. Accepts Several Gov’t Officials’ Resignation Ahead of October 2023 Polls
IPNEWS: Amidst repeated controversy over massive corruption at the state-owned Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, and the glooming state of the work environment, President George Weah late Wednesday, April 12, nominated former Grand Gedeh Senator G. Alphonso Gaye, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation.
The nomination of the former Grand Gedeh County Senator comes amidst roaming corruption ghosts at that state-owned enterprise.
In 2022, the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission, Cllr Edwin Kla Martin, released several investigative reports to the public in which he called for the prosecution of several government officials for corruption.
Cllr. Martin told a news briefing that officials from the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, Ministry of Agriculture, Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, and the Planned Parenthood Association acted against the laws in the discharge of their duties.
He stated that the LACC has charged Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, Deputy Managing Director Moseray Momoh with Economic Sabotage for illegally disposing of public assets and converting the funds to his use.
The LACC Executive Chairperson said the officials from the four agencies will be prosecuted on charges of conflict of interest, theft of property, abuse of office, perjury, and economic sabotage.
The country’s anti-graft Chief said his institution will continue to work to deal with incidents of corruption in Liberia.
Under the leadership of Duannah Kamara as Managing Director, there has been uncontrollable glaring dishonesty at the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
In 2021, President George Weah suspended Mr. Kamara, others for gross improprieties, and ordered the General Auditing Commission to move in with full investigation of the corporation’s accounts.
Following the clearing of Mr. Kamara of Corruption by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) amidst public outcry, Dwanna KAMARA returned to the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
Mr. KAMARA and the finance officer of the LWSC were Suspended based on Allegations of corruption.
It was alleged that Mr. KAMARA stole almost a million dollar and send it abroad for personal use. The information was revealed by the LWSC finance office, which was also Suspended along with the MD.
The GAC report indicated that there was no trace of corruption linking Mr. KAMARA as alleged by the finance director.
Related, the Finance Director expressed dismay over the GAC report, terming it as a joke, noting that he was never contacted after serving as a whistle-blower.
In a related appointment, President George Manneh Weah, has also named Commissioners of the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPC)C.
Those named are Bodger Scott Johnson, Chairman; Madam Mardia Jallah, Co-Chair; Mr. Roosevelt Woods; Mr. Robert Clarke, and Mr. Matthew Kantah.
Meanwhile, the President has named Mr. Stephen Young as Officer-in-Charge of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) until nominated commissioners are confirmed.
The Liberian leader has also reconstituted the Board of the National Port Authority (NPA). Those nominated are Bishop Matthew Gueh (Chairman), Buster P. Younis, Prescilla Sieh Weah, Zadye Shelton Gonkerwon, Charlotte H. Davies, Mary Quita Johnson, Emily Abiose Marsh-Askie, Alphonso Dean and Rev. Joseph N.D. Bannah.
President George Weah further reconstituted the Board of Directors for the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
Those nominated to the Board of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), are Rev. Varnie Yarwoo, Madams Noratus Howard Afabor, Mariah Y. Bonkuo, and Margaret M. Kieh. These nominations, which were made by the Chief Executive on April 11, 2023, take immediate effect, though subject to confirmation by the Senate where possible.
In related presidential news, President of the Republic, George Manneh Weah, has accepted the resignation of several Liberian government officials wanting to vie for elected positions in the ensuing October 10 polls.
President Weah early March 2023 issued Executive Order #117 mandating appointed officials of the Liberian Government aspiring for elected positions in the upcoming October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative Elections to resign on or before April 7, 2023.
Officials of Government who complied with President Weah’s mandate include Mr. Zinnah Norman, City Major of Bopolu City; Madam Kebbeh Forpka Collins, Board Member of Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation; Madam Josephine W.A. Davies, Inspector General, Ministry of Commerce; Madam Barbara M. Keah, Assistant Superintendent of Sinoe County; Mr. Edwin K. Korpolu, Assistant Statutory District Superintendent for Development, Gbarpolu County; and Mr. Lance K. Gbagonyon, Deputy Minister for Culture, Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.
The President also received resignation letters from Mr. William V. Dakel, Deputy Director General for Administration, General Services Agency; Mr. Charles K. Bardyl, NPA Board Member; Mr. Duanna Kamara, Managing Director of Liberia Water Sewer Corporation; Mr. Moses Y. Kollie, Director General of Liberia Civil Aviation Authority; Mr. Myer M. Beteah, Deputy Managing Director, National Transit Authority; and Mr. Anthony J. Quiwonkpa, Deputy Minister of State Without Portfolio.
Those who also tendered their resignations are Mr. William T Thompson, II, Assistant Minister for Energy, Ministry of Mines and Energy; Mr. Morris K. Saryon, Assistant Minister for Industry, Ministry of Commerce; Madam Ruth Sawmadal, Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Internal Affairs; Mr. Eric Vaye, Assistant Superintendent for Fiscal Affairs, Montserrado County; Madam Betty Breeze Doh, Assistant Superintendent for Development, Grand Gedeh County; Madam Ellen Blessing Howe, City Mayor of Harper City, Maryland County; Mr. Edward R. Dartue, Commissioner of Louisiana Township, Montserrado County; and Mr. Tiah Nagbe, Executive Director, National Identification Registry.
